OOIDA issues Call to Action to Pennsylvania members

| Friday, September 28, 2001

On Friday, OOIDA issued
a Call to Action to the association's Pennsylvania members to help head off
another anti-trucker piece of legislation about to be introduced in Harrisburg.
Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Daughin) plans to ask state lawmakers to lower speed limits
for truckers to 55 mph while keeping the limit for cars at 65 mph.

Marsico is being quoted
in state newspapers as saying a split speed limit would lead to a decrease
in truck accidents. "Obviously, Rep. Marsico does not know the safety
facts with split speed limits," says the OOIDA Call to Action, "and
even if he did his perspective would not likely change."

Marsico, who apparently
likes to present a "tough on trucks" image, is the author of legislation
that passed earlier this year that boosts fines for logbook violations from
$50 to $500.

A spokesperson in Marsico's
office said the legislation will likely be introduced the week of Oct. 1,
2001.

According to the OOIDA
Call to Action, there will be some support from state lawmakers for lowering
truck limits given recent publicity about truck wrecks. "Our job is to
let state lawmakers know that split speed limits will only cause more wrecks
by assuring that cars and trucks are in constant conflict," was the message
to members, who were asked to contact state lawmakers.

"These lawmakers
need to know that split speed limits will make highways less safe by causing
cars and trucks to be continuously passing each other," says OOIDA's
Todd Spencer. "These conflicts always result in higher rates of rear
and side-swipe accidents. You can also tell lawmakers that the patrol needs
to focus more attention on the areas where accidents are currently happening.
It's not how fast you drive - it's how you drive that impacts safety. And,
as you see truck drivers doing things that could cause accidents, speak to
those drivers about their actions. If your comments are not well received
by the offending driver, call the motor carrier operating the truck and share
your observations."

Spencer suggests truckers
keep a tally of those companies called. "While a vast majority of truck
drivers are good and safe operators, some aren't," he says, "Those
companies that recruit and hire unsafe drivers simply because they need to
fill a seatneed to get the recognition they deserve."

Members should contact
state lawmakers in Harrisburg and share their thoughts on split speed limits.
If you need help finding yourstate lawmakers, please call the OOIDA membership
department at 1-800-444-5791.